66684 - Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the main analytical techniques, identify the chemical equilibria involved, and evaluate the influence of chemical parameters on these equilibria. They will acquire a working knowledge of the basic statistical methods required for the presentation and interpretation of analytical data, as well as an understanding of potentiometric analytical techniques.

Upon completion of the course, students will also be able to recognize common laboratory equipment and describe its proper use; apply the principal volumetric analysis techniques for the quantitative determination of chemical species based on the relevant chemical equilibria; accurately document their experimental work in a laboratory notebook; and process and present experimental results using the most appropriate statistical tests.

Course contents

PREREQUISITES

Students are expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

1. Mathematics: Elementary functions (fractions, powers, roots, exponential and logarithmic functions), solution of algebraic equations, and basic knowledge of differential and integral calculus for functions of a single real variable.
2. Physics: Knowledge of the principal physical quantities, the relationships between them, and the corresponding SI units.
3. General Chemistry: Chemical reactions and their balancing; the concept of the mole; the ideal gas law; solutions and concentration units; the concept of chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle; stoichiometric calculations for complete and equilibrium reactions; basic knowledge of the chemistry of the most common elements and compounds; and familiarity with basic chemical nomenclature.
4. Physical Chemistry: Fundamentals of thermodynamics as applied to chemical systems at equilibrium; phase equilibria in single-component and multicomponent systems; the ideal gas equation of state; mole fraction and partial pressure; and basic electrochemistry.

Course ContentsLecturesFundamentals of Statistics in Analytical Chemistry

Quality of analytical data. Significant figures. Sources of uncertainty. Errors in chemical analysis and error propagation. Gross, systematic, and random errors. Accuracy and precision. Reporting analytical data. Statistical significance tests, including Student's t-test. Tests of accuracy and precision. Comparison of two sample sets. Calibration and measurement. Linear regression. Limit of detection.

Acid–Base Equilibria in Aqueous Solutions

Strength of acids and bases. Polyprotic acids and bases. Buffer solutions and ampholyte solutions. Systematic treatment of chemical equilibria. pH calculations. Acid–base titrations. Methods for determining the equivalence point of a titration. Titration error. Introduction to acid–base equilibria in non-aqueous solvents: acidic and basic properties of solvents and solvent effects on acid–base reactions.

Precipitation Equilibria

Solubility and the effect of pH. Precipitation titrations.

Complexometric Analysis

Complex formation and the effect of pH. Thermodynamic and conditional stability constants. Complexometric titrations. EDTA and its analytical applications. Interfering species and masking agents.

Redox Equilibria in Homogeneous Solution

Electrochemical cells. Effects of pH, solubility equilibria, and complex formation on redox potential. Stability of redox systems in aqueous solution. E–pH (Pourbaix) diagrams. Redox titrations.

Potentiometry

Direct and indirect potentiometric measurements. Indicator and reference electrodes. Ion-selective electrodes.

Conductometry

Direct and indirect conductivity measurements. Conductometric titrations.

Laboratory

Attendance at laboratory sessions is compulsory. Students must attend at least 75% of the scheduled laboratory activities to satisfy the attendance requirement. Attendance will be verified through the submission of a laboratory report at the end of each practical session.

The laboratory component is designed to reinforce the theoretical concepts covered during the lectures through hands-on experimental work. Laboratory activities include:

1. Calibration of volumetric glassware.
2. Acid–base titrations.
3. Complexometric titrations with EDTA.
4. Redox titrations.
5. Potentiometry: glass electrode; pH meter calibration and study of the response of a combined glass electrode; potentiometric acid–base titration and determination of the equivalence volume using the Gran method; analytical determinations using ion-selective electrodes.
6. Potentiometric titrations.

Readings/Bibliography

D.C. Harris, “Chimica Analitica Quantitativa”, Zanichelli, Bologna,

F. W. Fifield, D. Kealey, “Chimica Analitica teoria e pratica”, Zanichelli, Bologna

Skoog,. West, Holler, Crouch, “Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica”, EdiSES, Napoli

Elizabeth Prichard, Victoria Barwick, "Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry" John Wiley

C. G. Enke, “The art and science of chemical analysis”Wiley

Teaching methods

The Analytical Chemistry with Laboratory course consists of classroom lectures covering both theoretical topics and introductory material for the laboratory sessions, as well as problem-solving exercises related to the theoretical content and practical laboratory activities.

Students are required to bring their laboratory notebook to every laboratory session. The notebook must have permanently bound, consecutively numbered pages and must be kept up to date by recording all observations relevant to the experimental work.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a 2-hour written test. The written examination is designed to assess whether students have achieved the knowledge and skills specified in the course learning outcomes through the solution of numerical problems and the completion of open-ended questions.

During the written examination, the use of textbooks, the periodic table, lecture notes, and lecture slides is not permitted. Students are required to bring a scientific calculator (calculators on mobile phones, tablets, or other electronic devices are not allowed), together with the necessary materials for drawing graphs and diagrams (pencils, ruler, set square, and eraser). All paper required for the examination (answer booklets, graph paper, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.

Once passed, the written examination remains valid for all examination sessions of the academic year in which the course is taught.

The final assessment for Analytical Chemistry also includes the evaluation of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory component, which is based on laboratory reports submitted for each practical session and on the results obtained in one or more unknown sample analyses.

The examination is passed if the mark obtained in the written test is 18/30 or higher. In this case, the final mark for Analytical Chemistry with Laboratory is calculated as the credit-weighted average of the written examination mark and the laboratory assessment.

The final grade for Analytical Chemistry with Laboratory is then combined into a single overall mark with the grade obtained in Instrumental Analytical Chemistry with Laboratory, with each component weighted according to its assigned number of credits.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service well in advance. Where appropriate, the service will propose suitable examination accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination for approval, taking into account the intended learning outcomes of the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools during any assessment is strictly prohibited. Any such use constitutes a violation of academic integrity

Teaching tools

Laboratory procedures covering the practical experiments will be provided. Classroom teaching is supported by multimedia presentations and the use of a whiteboard.

Course materials used during lectures are available on the University's online learning platform (iol.unibo.it).

Office hours

See the website of Erika Scavetta

See the website of Luisa Stella Dolci